Safety steering for motor vehicles, especially for passenger motor vehicles

ABSTRACT

A safety steering for motor vehicles, especially for passenger motor vehicles with an impact pot mounted between the steering wheel and the steering column, whereby the impact pot is connected with the steering column by way of an elastic element which is either of unitary or of multi-partite construction.

United States Patent 15] 3,683,717 Wiliert et a1. [45] Aug. 15, 1972SAFETY STEERING FOR MOTOR [56] References Cited VEHICLES, ESPECIALLY FORPASSENGER MOTOR VEHICLES UNITED STATES PATENTS Inventors: win (;e ,lgenald tadn I I Burgess Rudolf Andres Sindelfingen both 2,564,905 8/1951Kaye ..74/490 of Germany 3,561,286 2/1971 Edge et a1 ..74/552 3,567,246I 3/1971 Wilfert et a1 ..74/492 X [73] Assignee: Daimler-BenzAktiengesellschaft,

' Stuttgart-Unterturkheim, Germany Primary ExaminerWilliam F. ODeaAssistant Examiner-F. D. Shoemaker [22] Att0rneyCraig,Antone1li and Hill[21] Appl. No.: 92,340

[ ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application Priority Data A safety steering formotor vehicles, especially for passenger motor vehicles with an impactpot mounted 1969 Germany "T 19 59 4979 between the steering wheel andthe steering column, whereby the impact pot is connected with thesteering [52] US. Cl ..74/552 column byway of an elastic element whichis either of Int- CL "862d it y or f construction- Field of Search...74/552, 490, 492; 64/11 R 27 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEnAus 151972 3,683,717

INVENTORS KARL WILFERT RUDOLF ANDRES BY Am,

ATTORNEYS SAFETY STEERING FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, ESPECIALLY FOR PASSENGERMOTOR VEHICLES The present invention relates to a safety steeringarrangement for motor vehicles, especially for passenger motor vehicleswith an impact pot mounted between the steering wheel and the steeringcolumn.

The injury danger to the driver in case of an impact on the steeringwheel is considerably reduced during a collision by the deformationpossibilities of the impact pot. The connection between the steeringcolumn and the impact pot, however, involves difficulties sincecompromises have to be always accepted in order to assure, on the onehand, the transmission of the steering movements and, on the other, toprovide a sufficient deformation path for the dissipation of the impactener- The present invention is concerned with the task to avoid thesedisadvantages with a safety steering mechanism of the aforementionedtype. The present invention essentially consists in that the impact potis connected with the steering column by way of a unitary or amulti-partite elastic element. An adaptation of the impact pot to thedirection of the load by the impinging body is achieved thereby sincethe elastic element enables an angular adaptation so that the impactsurface becomes fully effective as a result thereof.

In order to eliminate additionally the steering wheel vibrations, it isparticularly advantageous if the elastic element possesses a stronginherent damping by the selection of the material and/or its form.Therebeyond, it is advantageous if the elastic element has a progressivespring characteristic.

A structurally appropriate embodiment of the present invention whichcombines in itself all of the advantages, is obtained if the end of thesteering column is provided with an annularly shaped flange, at which issecured the bottom of the impact pot by way of several sleeve-shapedrubber sockets or sleeves. These elastic rubber sockets or sleevespossess, on the one hand, a high inherent damping and, on the other, aprogressive spring characteristic.

In order to facilitate with this type of securing the deformation of theimpact pot in the direction of the steering column, it is'advantageousif the bottom of the impact pot is provided with an undulatory foldwithin the area of its cylindrical surface. Additionally, it isappropriate if the length of the preferably two-step impact pot islarger than its diameter.

In order to obtain as large and as stable as possible an impact surface,the steering rim may possess at least within its lower area a largerform rigidity in the direction of the steering column than the impactpot.

By reason of the occurrence of different frequencies of excitation, itis appropriate in practice, if a damping means is arranged between theimpact pot and the.

steering spindle. As a result thereof, excessive amplitudes are avoidedalso in case of excitation within the range of the natural frequency. Astructurally very simple embodiment of a damping device is obtained ifseveral band-steel elements distributed over the circumference of thesteering spindle are rigidly secured at the steering spindle end, whoseother ends elastically abut against the inner wall of the impact pot,preferably by interposition of friction bodies.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providea safetysteering mechanism for motor vehicles which avoids by simple means theaforementioned shortcomings and drawbacks encountered heretofore in theprior art.

Another object of the present invention resides in a safety steeringmechanism for motor vehicles which permits an appropriate connectionbetween the steering column and impactpot without compromise in thesafety of the transmission of the steering movement and the presence ofa sufficient deformation path for the dissipation of the impact energy.

A further object of the present invention resides in a safety steeringarrangement for motor vehicles, especially for passenger motor vehicleswhich assures an adaptation of the impact pot to the effective directionunder all conditions.

Another object of the present invention resides in a safety steering ofthe type described above which intion with the accompanying drawing,which shows, for

purposes of illustration only, one embodiment in accordance with thepresent invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through one-half of asafety steering arrangement in accordance with the present invention,the other half being substantially axially symmetrical thereto; and

FIG. 1A shows a one-piece elastic member that can be used in amodification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawing, reference numeral 1 designatestherein the impact pot which is connected at its upper end with the rim14 of the steering .wheel 13 by way of flanges 2 in any conventionalmanner and is elastically secured at its lower end with the upper end ofthe steering column 3. In this embodiment, the length of the impact pot1 of twostep construction, is so selected that it is larger than thelargest diameter thereof. Additionally, the impact pot l includes at itsbottom 4 within the area of its outer generating surface an undulatoryfold 5, whereas the bottom 4 is opened inwardly as a flange. The impactpot l is connected by means of this flange to the end of the steeringcolumn 3 provided with an annularly shaped flange 6.

The connection between impact pot 1 and the steering column end flange 6takes place by way of several sleeve-like rubber sockets or bushings 7distributed over the circumference of flange 6. The elastic sockets orbushings 7 are mounted over rivet bolts 8 welded to circumferentialdirection. FIG. 1A shows a one-piece elastic ring 7' that can be used inplace of the elastic bushings 7 shown in FIG. 1.

This connection between impact pot l and steering column 3 which is assuch structurally simple, entails considerable advantages. It isachieved that the steering wheel is supported advantageously by asupport of low frequency, and that additionally vibrations are absorbedsince the rubber sockets or bushings 7 have a high inherent damping andprogressive characteristic. Instead of such rubber sockets or bushings7, it is, of course, also possible to utilize dowel pins, disks, conicalelements, or the like.

Since steering wheels have to be actuated during the driving operationwith differently large frequencies, the danger exists that the steeringwheel receives an excessive amplitude if the frequency of excitation isdisposed within the range of the natural frequency of the elasticallysecured steering wheel. In that case, the inherent damping of theelastic elements 7 is not sufficient so that an additional damping meanshas to be provided. In the illustrated embodiment, a friction dampingmeans is provided, whereby several band-steel members 11 are rigidlyconnected at the circumference of the flange 6 of the steering column 3which are elastically supported at the impact pot 1. Friction bodies 12of any suitable material are disposed between the impact pot 1 and theband-steel elements 1 1, which effect a noise-free and service-freeoperation of the friction damping members. Instead of this structurallyvery simple friction damping means, other forms, especially hydraulicdamping means may be provided without difficulties.

It is additionally achieved by the present invention that in case of animpact of the body of the driver at an angle, the impact surface formedby the steering wheel can still adapt itself prior to the deformation ofthe impact pot 1 to this angle so that, on the one hand, the deformationenergy necessary for the reduction of injuries, can be produced in fullwhereas, on the other, a large impact surface remains preserved. It isparticularly favorable in that respect if the steering wheel (not shown)is constructed more form rigid at least in its lower area than theimpact pot 1.

It has been demonstrated in actual tests that the natural frequency ofthe steering wheel rim can be kept the lower, the smaller one keeps thehardness. Also, the lesser hardness of the steering wheel rimsimultaneously leads to increased angle adaptation possibilities tofurther assure optimum contact with the body of the driver upon impact.

While we have shown and described only one embodiment in accordance withthe present invention, it is understood that the same is not limitedthereto but is susceptible of numerous changes and modifications asknown to those skilled in the art, and we therefore do not wish to belimited to the details shown and described herein but intend to coverall such changes and modifications as are encompassed by the scope ofthe appended claims.

What we claim is:

l. A safety steering arrangement for motor vehicles comprising: asteering column, an impact pot means positioned between the steeringcolumn and a steering wheel, and elastic connecting means positionedbetween the impact pot means and the steering column for elasticallytransferring forces between said impact pot means and said steeringcolumn.

2. A safety steering according to claim 1, characterized in that theelastic connecting means is a unitary element.

3. A safety steering according to claim 1, characterized in that theelastic connecting means is a multipartite elastic element.

4. A safety steering according to claim l,-characterized in that theelastic connecting means includes damping means for providing stronginherent damping of forcestransmitted between the steering column andimpact pot means.

5. A safety steering according to claim 4, characterized in that thestrong inherent damping means includes the material of the elasticconnecting means.

6. A safety steering according to claim 5, characterized in that thedamping means further includes the shape of the elastic connectingmeans.

7. A safety steering according to claim 4, charac terized in that thedamping means includes the shape of the elastic connecting means.

8. A safety steering according to claim 4, characterized in that theelastic connecting means has a progressive spring characteristic.

9. A safety steering arrangement for motor vehicles comprising: asteering column, an impact pot means provided between the steeringcolumn and a steering wheel, and elastic connecting means for connectingthe steering column to the impact pot means, characterized in that theend of the steering column includes an annularly shaped flange which issecured at the bottom of the impact pot means by way of severalsleeve-like elastic socket means.

10. A safety steering according to claim 9, characterized in that thebottom of the impact pot means is provided within the area of its outersurface with an undulatory fold means.

11. A safety steering according to claim 10, characterized in that thelength of the impact pot means is larger than its diameter.

12. A safety steering according to claim 11, characterized in that theimpact pot means is of two-step construction.

13. A safety steering according to claim 11, characterized in that thesteering wheel rim has a greater form rigidity in the direction of thesteering column at least within its lower area than the impact potmeans.

14. A safety steering according to claim 13, characterized in that adamping means is arranged between the impact pot means and the end ofthe steering column.

15. A safety steering according to claim 14, characterized in that thedamping means includes several band-steel elements rigidly connected atthe steering column end, the other ends of the band-steel elementselastically abutting against the inner wall of the impact pot means.

16. A safety steering according to claim 15, characterized in that theband-steel elements are distributed over the circumference of thesteering column end.

17. A safety steering according to claim 15, characterized in that theband-steel elements elastically abut against the inner wall of theimpact pot means by interposition of friction body means.

18. A safety steering according to claim 1, charac-' terized in that theelastic connecting means has a progressive spring characteristic.

19. A safety steering according to claim 1, characterized in that thebottom of the impact pot means is provided within the area of its outersurface with an undulatory fold means. I

20. A safety steering according to claim 1, characterized in that thelength of the impact pot means is larger than its diameter.

21. A safety steering according to claim 20, characterized in that theimpact pot means is of two-step construction.

22. A safety steering according to claim 1, characterized in that thesteering wheel rim has a greater form rigidity in the direction of thesteering column at least within its lower area than the impact potmeans.

23. A safety steering according to claim 1, characterized in that adamping means is arranged between the impact pot means and the end ofthe steering column.

24. A safety steering according to claim 23, characterized in that thedamping means includes several band-steel elements rigidly connected atthe steering column end, the other ends of the band-steel elementselastically abutting against the inner wall of the impact pot means.

25. A safety steering according to claim 24, characterized in that theband steel elements are distributed over the circumference of thesteering column end.

26. A safety steering according to claim 25, characterized in that theband steel elements elastically abut against the inner wall of theimpact pot means by inerposition of friction body means.

27. A safety steering arrangement for motor vehicles comprising: asteering column, a steering wheel, an impact pot means positionedbetween the steering column and the steering wheel, and elasticconnecting means for connecting said impact pot means to at least one ofsaid steering column and said steering wheel such that all forcestransmitted between the steering column and said steering wheel passthrough said elastic connecting means.

1. A safety steering arrangement for motor vehicles comprising: asteering column, an impact pot means positioned between the steeringcolumn and a steering wheel, and elastic connecting means positionedbetween the impact pot means and the steering column for elasticallytransferring forces between said impact pot means and said steeringcolumn.
 2. A safety steering according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe elastic connecting means is a unitary element.
 3. A safety steeringaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic connecting meansis a multi-partite elastic element.
 4. A safety steering according toclaim 1, characterized in that the elastic connecting means includesdamping means for providing strong inherent damping of forcestransmitted between the steering column and impact pot means.
 5. Asafety steering according to claim 4, characterized in that the stronginherent damping means includes the material of the elastic connectingmeans.
 6. A safety steering according to claim 5, characterized in thatthe damping means further includes the shape of the elastic connectingmeans.
 7. A safety steering according to claim 4, characterized in thatthe damping means includes the shape of the elastic connecting means. 8.A safety steering according to claim 4, characterized in that theelastic connecting means has a progressive spring characteristic.
 9. Asafety steering arrangemEnt for motor vehicles comprising: a steeringcolumn, an impact pot means provided between the steering column and asteering wheel, and elastic connecting means for connecting the steeringcolumn to the impact pot means, characterized in that the end of thesteering column includes an annularly shaped flange which is secured atthe bottom of the impact pot means by way of several sleeve-like elasticsocket means.
 10. A safety steering according to claim 9, characterizedin that the bottom of the impact pot means is provided within the areaof its outer surface with an undulatory fold means.
 11. A safetysteering according to claim 10, characterized in that the length of theimpact pot means is larger than its diameter.
 12. A safety steeringaccording to claim 11, characterized in that the impact pot means is oftwo-step construction.
 13. A safety steering according to claim 11,characterized in that the steering wheel rim has a greater form rigidityin the direction of the steering column at least within its lower areathan the impact pot means.
 14. A safety steering according to claim 13,characterized in that a damping means is arranged between the impact potmeans and the end of the steering column.
 15. A safety steeringaccording to claim 14, characterized in that the damping means includesseveral band-steel elements rigidly connected at the steering columnend, the other ends of the band-steel elements elastically abuttingagainst the inner wall of the impact pot means.
 16. A safety steeringaccording to claim 15, characterized in that the band-steel elements aredistributed over the circumference of the steering column end.
 17. Asafety steering according to claim 15, characterized in that theband-steel elements elastically abut against the inner wall of theimpact pot means by interposition of friction body means.
 18. A safetysteering according to claim 1, characterized in that the elasticconnecting means has a progressive spring characteristic.
 19. A safetysteering according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom of theimpact pot means is provided within the area of its outer surface withan undulatory fold means.
 20. A safety steering according to claim 1,characterized in that the length of the impact pot means is larger thanits diameter.
 21. A safety steering according to claim 20, characterizedin that the impact pot means is of two-step construction.
 22. A safetysteering according to claim 1, characterized in that the steering wheelrim has a greater form rigidity in the direction of the steering columnat least within its lower area than the impact pot means.
 23. A safetysteering according to claim 1, characterized in that a damping means isarranged between the impact pot means and the end of the steeringcolumn.
 24. A safety steering according to claim 23, characterized inthat the damping means includes several band-steel elements rigidlyconnected at the steering column end, the other ends of the band-steelelements elastically abutting against the inner wall of the impact potmeans.
 25. A safety steering according to claim 24, characterized inthat the band steel elements are distributed over the circumference ofthe steering column end.
 26. A safety steering according to claim 25,characterized in that the band steel elements elastically abut againstthe inner wall of the impact pot means by inerposition of friction bodymeans.
 27. A safety steering arrangement for motor vehicles comprising:a steering column, a steering wheel, an impact pot means positionedbetween the steering column and the steering wheel, and elasticconnecting means for connecting said impact pot means to at least one ofsaid steering column and said steering wheel such that all forcestransmitted between the steering column and said steering wheel passthrough said elastic connecting means.